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Friday, September 30, 2011

My Yahoo account is down and I cannot send email due to "suspicious activity".

My gut instinct is that this is a system issue. Whenever I have an oddball problem, I typically google it to see if anyone else is talking about the same thing today. I actually found it even better to use the Twitter search bar (yahoo suspicious activity) and see lots of people talking about it.

I did use Yahoo chat and they seemed to know, but still made me fill out a form.

I'm sure it will get resolved soon. I usually just wait these things out. Stuff happens and it's not the end of the world. It is, however, my primary account.

It appears that I am still receiving messages, but cannot repsond. Those wanting to reach me, should use my public account associated with this blog: TeDeumBlog (at) gmail (dot) com . If you do get through to my Yahoo account, look for a reply from that gmail account.

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Please come to Assumption Grotto for the 7:00 pm Mass this evening and stay for Eucharistic Adoration.

With your prayers and sacrifices, we are hopeful that Assumption Grotto will be successful in the ongoing capital campaign. Also, those in attendance will be praying for the intentions of parishioners.

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

On August 3, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published an interim rule that mandates almost all private health plans to cover contraception and sterilization as “preventive services,” and allows the department to implement a very narrow and inadequate religious exemption. Please take a moment to send an e-mail message to HHS no later than September 30 urging the department to remove morally unacceptable mandated services. More background information may be found below. Continue reading ACTION ALERT! Email HHS to Oppose “Preventative Services” Mandate…

I want to pass along some interesting dialogue taking place on the blogs of Catholic radio show host, Al Kresta, and blogging canonist, Ed Peters - both stand-up guys, and friends, who are in a friendly disagreement over a recent interview Al did with Fr. Frank Pavone.

I pass this along because I think there are some good learning opportunities here, not just in the arguments themselves, but in how people can disagree with one another, in a civil way.

Dr. Gerard Nadal offers some thoughts over at Deacon Greg Kandra's combox on this. What caught my attention was the sample letter he offered as the kind of thing that would have been much more helpful out of Fr. Pavone. I have formatted it for easier reading. Gerry writes:

Pavone quote from the article:

“Be assured we are neither organizing nor endorsing public protests of any kind.”

There’s the cute little game that will ultimately alienate large numbers from Fr. Pavone. While he is not organizing or endorsing the protests, the assault on the children of that school, he will not ask the plane and trucks to stand down.

He is a priest of that diocese and those children are being traumatized in his name, and he does not publicly repudiate the tactic. It’s stomach-churning.

If it will help, here’s the press release that will work:

“I have today asked that the truth trucks return home and that the plane remain grounded. Furthermore, I ask that all who intend to come to Amarillo please redirect your energy to praying outside of your local abortion clinic. My bishop and I need a safe, quiet, and respectful space in which to resolve the differences that have led to this action. Please respect this relationship, pray for us both, and refrain from any more publishing of harsh words for any of our bishops.

“Priests for life has been as successful as we have been precisely because three of my bishops, as well as every bishop who has sent us a priest, has consented to this ministry and want us bringing the heart of the Church to the pro-life movement. They are good men who cannot spare a man in their respective diocese, yet have done so generously. Honor that.

“For now, please don’t become distracted from your great work or your prayers. Continue to do God’s will, and trust in His leading.”

Francesco Botticini's, "Tobias and the Archangels", circa 15th century

Today is the feast of St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael - the Archangels. Here is what is used for the second reading in today's Office of Readings, by St. Gregory the Great

You should be aware that the word “angel” denotes a function rather than a nature. Those holy spirits of heaven have indeed always been spirits. They can only be called angels when they deliver some message. Moreover, those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels.

And so it was that not merely an angel but the archangel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary. It was only fitting that the highest angel should come to announce the greatest of all messages.

Some angels are given proper names to denote the service they are empowered to perform. In that holy city, where perfect knowledge flows from the vision of almighty God, those who have no names may easily be known. But personal names are assigned to some, not because they could not be known without them, but rather to denote their ministry when they came among us. Thus, Michael means “Who is like God”; Gabriel is “The Strength of God”; and Raphael is “God’s Remedy.”

Whenever some act of wondrous powermust be performed, Michael is sent, so that his action and his name may make it clear that no one can do what God does by his superior power. So also our ancient foe desired in his pride to be like God, saying: I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of heaven; I will be like the Most High. He will be allowed to remain in power until the end of the world when he will be destroyed in the final punishment. Then, he will fight with the archangel Michael, as we are told by John: A battle was fought with Michael the archangel. So too Gabriel, who is called God’s strength, was sent to Mary. He came to announce the One who appeared as a humble man to quell the cosmic powers. Thus God’s strength announced the coming of the Lord of the heavenly powers, mighty in battle.

Raphael means, as I have said, God’s remedy, for when he touched Tobit’s eyes in order to cure him, he banished the darkness of his blindness. Thus, since he is to heal, he is rightly called God’s remedy.

Just a reminder, that each Thursday, Assumption Grotto holds a holy hour for the sanctification of the priesthood after the 7:00 pm Mass. Exposition often begins around 7:40, with special prayers and reflections led by a priest from 8 pm to 9 pm. The Thursday night Mass is a Latin Novus Ordo.

Also, there is an opportunity for Adoration tomorrow evening after the 7:00 pm Mass. This is not only for the success of Assumption Grotto's Capital Campaign, which is part of an archdiocesan wide effort, but for the petitions of parishioners.

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

In the opening paragraph of his article, A New Generation of Theologians, Ryan N.S. Topping, D. Phil., sums up the reason why I have hope for the future of the Church.

Much of the animosity felt by older theologians toward the Vatican or, more generally, toward episcopal authority, has disappeared. Such skirmishes that do occasionally play out the old ‘free-thinking theologian’ versus the ‘heavy-handed bishop’ script simply bore. To young eyes media events dramatizing the conflict between freedom and authority look tired, and to be a pastime for the retiring. (A case in point is the recent vitriolic over the Bishops’ censure of Elizabeth Johnson’s Quest for the Living God.) By contrast, the majority of young Catholic philosophers and theologians that I have met through my teaching—in England, Canada, and America—are eager to serve the Church, to imbibe her customs, and to perpetuate her faith. For the most part, where frustration is felt it is not at being restricted by authority; it is at not being confidently commissioned. Being a bishop is not for cowards. Failure of episcopal leadership in the post-Vatican II era has typically not been in the clumsy exercise of power, but in their reluctance to support those who defend authentic Catholic teaching. This trend is passing.

Speaking of the attitude of younger theologians and philosphers, I agree that the trend is passing. While there is still some reluctance among the bishops yet as Topping describes, I see that trend passing too. Note, that I did not say, that it has passed.

This is why you won't see me getting all up in arms the way I might have 10 or 15 years ago. In fact, I don't think that nonsense would have survived for as long as did had there been an internet and new media the way we have it today.

Often times I've reflected on those seminary libraries during 70's to 90's, many of which were stocked with books full of namby-pambyism masquerading as Catholicism. Young men back then were dependent on whomever fed them information. They could not just hop on a computer and see what the Pope just said 6 hours ago, 6 months ago, or even 6 years ago. It all depended on who was in control and what they wanted controlled. Today, when the Pope speaks, his words are up on the web within minutes and it's rapidly translated into other languages. In fact, it's not uncommon for the Pope's words to get out before the Pope speaks these days. Other than those living oppresive countries with some heavy technology controls, no one can block it (not that they would be "intolerant")

Young Catholics enthusiastic about the faith are absorbing Pope Benedict's words like thirsty sponges. They are also spending serious time studying the Church Fathers and Doctors, and getting to know Church documents intimately, not casually in such a way as to get a perverted sense of what is being communicated. Some older Catholics are tickled pink to finally see it happening, and many in the middle are leaning more with this group in getting annoyed with a dwindling, aging group who continue to press dissidence over assent. Even St. Paul had his own thorn to deal with. This new generation of Catholics has vigor to learn what the Church teaches because they want to live it and pass it on, rather than challenge it.

While the world around us is more secularized and ready to persecute Christians, especially Catholics, these days, I also see a very strong Church emerging. It's still small, but I see it growing. Deo gratias!

To an era controlled by stodgy, anti-ecclesial dissidency....

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Some of the biggest buzz in Catholic circles is Fr. Robert Barron's new series, Catholicism. Portions of it will be debuting on PBS in Chicago on October 13th and it sounds like there will be other cities in the mix. Detroit will be among the cities offering it, starting on October 30th at 6 pm. See if it will be available in your area here.

In March 2010, you questioned PBS’ decision to not air religious programming and used examples to demonstrate that they exclude one type of evangelization but allow another type. Now it turns out that PBS has agreed to air your series on more than 80 public-television stations this fall. How did that come about?

We approached WTTW over a year ago in Chicago with the documentary. I was aware that I had done this piece on YouTube, and I stand by it. I wasn’t expecting much from PBS, but they called us down, and we met with their people. To my infinite delight and surprise, they said they thought it was well done, that it was visually compelling, that it would be interesting to non-Catholics and any religious seekers, and that they loved it. We went to lunch afterwards and wondered, How did that happen?

They watched all 10 episodes and chose four — the first episode on Jesus, the episode on the mystery of God, the episode on Mary, and the one on Peter and Paul and the missionary outreach of the Church. It will begin airing during prime time in Chicago on Oct. 13 and will air in successive three Thursday evenings. PBS Chicago marketed around the country, and they’ll be airing it on just over 80 stations.

The other episodes we sent to EWTN, and they’ll be playing them starting in the beginning of November. We’re thrilled.

The "Barry Sanders" of Catholic Social MediaI find myself gravitating more and more to Fr. Barron's material. You can try drive change by negative means (i.e., angry complaints, too much emphasis on what is not being done or focusig on things going wrong, etc.); or, you can try to win hearts through postiive means (i.e., appealing to people's sense of reason with intellectual discourse devoid of anger, acknowledging what is wrong without over-emphasizing it, and offering hope). In my humble opinion, Fr. Robert Barron has mastered the latter. Some may be perplexed as to why he may choose certain topics in his Word on Fire videos. This is a man who is not just going after fallen away Catholics and non-Catholic christians. He's engaging atheists, agnostics and other non-Christians, and he is taking the high-road, completely unphased by some of the nastiness that can be out there.

Fr. Barron is to Catholic social media what former Detroit Lions running back, Barry Sanders was to football. Sanders, with his small stature against the many giant men he played against was unphased by the odds against him. He weaved in and out, dodging the multitudes, throwing them into confusion as to where he was going next. Sanders could make a good run, take a beating and come out of the pile trotting to the next play, repeating it over again until he punched through to the end zone. Then he would get up and just hand the ball over to the referee like it was no big deal. He never trash-talked that I recall and was very restrained in how he talked about others. This is how I see Fr. Barron taking on this culture of secularism, relativism, subjectivism, etc. It is with this lack of emotionalism and hyperbole that Barron teaches. his positive approach is working and what he teaches goes deep, not just on the surface. When some of them see he's interested in dialogue, they let go of the edge and get down to talking. You can see where things like philosophy, history, anthropology, literature and other subjects all come in to play. It is wise for seminarians, consecrated persons, and lay people to study up if they want to win souls. Fr. Barron shows how well such seemingly benign things are needed to understand others. This is what is needed to have intelligent discourse.

You can buy the entire series on DVD. Father also has a book by the same name, and a study guide. Find a few other interesting items by him in below.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, kneeling next to Dan Goodnow (center; blue jacket), president of the Helpers of God's Precious Infants of Michigan has led prayer vigils like this in September of each year since his installation.
This one, from 2009, drew nearly 700

Soon after arriving at Assumption Grotto in Detroit in 2005, I learned of a little known group called, the Helpers of God's Precious Infants, and all I knew was that they did pro-life work. I was invited to go to a pro-life prayer vigil. I was told that the founder of the growing apostolate, Msgr. Patrick Reilly, was coming in from New York to lead it.

I had been familiar with pro-life activism from the time I was quite young, but was not involved in it. I prayed for an end to abortion in my own way. I knew people were getting arrested and I saw anger and shouting at those going into the mills. This brought out pro-choice protestors and it sometimes got ugly. In my teens, I recall that period of time when mills were being bombed in the off hours, and later at times that resulted in death. While I have always been pro-life and was horrified at abortion, something seemed off with these methods, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I wanted to get involved, but something kept me at a distance. It wasn't that I was a coward. I can be a pitbull.

I would later understand my own reluctance to be involved in those kinds of efforts at Mass held by Msgr. Reilly back in 2005. There, I encountered an entirely different approach to saving lives - one that I felt had much greater potential to win not just individual battles, but the war. In fact, it was aimed at saving souls which is how I believe Christians should work to save the lives of babies. Abortion is such a grave evil, that human efforts alone will not stop it. What comes to mind is the Gospel passage in which the apostles could not cast the demons out of a man. Upon asking Our Lord about this, he explained that some demons can only be cast out with prayer and fasting (Matt 17:21, Mark 9:29).

In the major vigils, Msgr. Reilly made it clear that we were not there to protest. We were not there to condemn the mother and others going into the mills. We were not to bring any signs or posters of any kind; all that would be visible in this regard was a crucifix and a banner with Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is the Protectress of the Unborn. In fact, Msgr. Reilly made it clear, our job was not to speak at all, but to pray earnestly. What really struck a chord with me, is that he passionately encouraged us to pray not just for the baby's life; he told us to pray for the mother, for the father of the child, for those encouraging the woman to have the abortion, for the doctors and staff at the mill. His mission was clear: End abortion by changing hearts through prayer, and by being a witness to the love of Christ. As Archbishop Vigneron explained in the homily at Mass before his last vigil, we are merely instruments to be used by God. His grace works through us.

On this basis, Msgr. Reilly's approach resonated with me and got me involved in the pro-life movement. I now get involved in the major vigils, extending the witness online with my photography. I support local crisis pregnancy centers, and I pray for the success of HGPI sidewalk counselors.

I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way because I don't know how else to explain why the bishops are so willing to get involved with HGPI, and just as importantly, why so many lay people and religious are willing to get involved.

The Helpers of God's Precious Infants of Michigan has been involving Catholic hierarchy here in Detroit in it's major prayer vigils for many years. Proof of their willingness to get involved in this kind of effort is visible in the many that I have photographed and uploaded. Those which happen about 4 times yearly here in Detroit, draw no less than 250-300 and have drawn as many as 700. My last photostory from earlier this month shows that people will come out even in drenching rain to pray. Anyone wanting to know the success rate of the Helpers here in Michigan should contact them.

A "Helpers" sidewalk counselor speaks to a man who brought in a young woman.
He conversed voluntarily with several of the counselors. Many who come to the mills feel there
are no alternatives. When they see the "Helpers" are not confrontational, many are willing to hear
what they have to say. Some "turn", and there are times when some months later, a woman or other
family member will return, with baby in the car, to thank them for saving the baby's life.

In between these major vigils, are the daily work of a core group of "Helpers". When two mills are open on 8 mile, they are out there - in the rain, shine, snow, sleet, and sub-zero weather. Among them, are trained sidewalk counselors. As women come to the mill, they are met with compassionate faces offering them a Rosary and brochures. They are informed of help available at local crisis pregnancy centers. There are no confrontations, and I have witnessed a good number of the people taking the information and Rosaries. I have witnessed some choosing to leave, or spending time talking to those outside. For those women going through with the abortion, the same counselors hand them post-abortive literature. Perhaps they will repent and convert, as well as avoid future abortions. Along with the counselors are a group of "prayer warriors". They simply stand there working the beads and praying for all involved. There are still others who are supporting with their prayers and sacrifices away from the mills. It is a very wholesome approach, and one that I would encourage bishops to bring into their own dioceses.

I think there is a time and a place to use graphic images. I do not believe they should be used indiscriminately (as in unrestrained) and in the open where small children are needlessly exposed to them. Some would say that they see more violence on television. If that is happening, then some parents are not taking care to guard the innocence that that should be preserved in a small child. Perhaps that is why there is so much violence is that parents are enabling them to become immune at a young age.

In any event, there are certain things we shield small children from. We shield them from witnessing sex; we send them to the other room when delicate conversations are taking place, and good parents often restrict what kind of horror films small eyes should be seeing. Why should parents then be confronted with an unexpected mobile billboard with a mutilated, aborted baby pulling up along side the car, or in front of the school, or flying in the air?

Sunday, September 25, 2011

The hands of Fr. David Bechill are annointed with Chrism by Archbishop Vigneron

Ordinations usually happen in Detroit on the Saturday before Pentecost. Rather than wait for Pentecost weekend 2012, Archbishop Vigneron ordained Fr. David Bechill on the Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 14th. It was pleasing to hear the Kyrie and the Gloria chanted in Latin.

Rosemary Bechill said of the ceremony, “It was wonderful. As a mom, I’m finally seeing his dream come true. It is a dream Fr. Bechill first told his parents about when he was in sixth grade, she said, adding, “He’s an amazing young man.”

Notes on the homily from the Michigan Catholic

The ordination Mass took place, by Fr. Bechill’s request, on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and Archbishop Allen Vigneron took the Cross as the theme of his homily.

The archbishop spoke of the paradox by which the Cross, which had been a symbol of shame, became for Christians the symbol of hope and criterion for measuring our faithfulness.

“Have I obeyed His injunction that I must take up the Cross and follow Him? The Cross is the measure of our success or failure,” he said.

With his priestly ordination, Archbishop Vigneron continued, the new priest would be given a new mission by the Holy Spirit, and “immersed in the mystery of the Cross,” be given the strength to nurture the people he will serve.

And while he already has experience from his diaconal ministry in making the sign of the Cross at baptisms, he will now also use it in anointing the sick and absolving sins, the archbishop said.

In addition, the archbishop told him he will join with Jesus the High Priest in the work of “drawing all men to His heart.”

After the homily the Rite of Ordination took place

The Litany of Saints is chanted

Archbishop Vigneron lays on hands

As the Veni Creator Spiritus is sung, priests in attendance lay on hands.
Grotto's pastor, Fr. Eduard Perrone is seen here.

Fr. Bechill is vested in the chasuble by Fr. James Bilot,
now the pastor of Divine Child in Dearborn, where the newly ordained will serve

His hands are annointed with Chrism

The chalice with wine and water mixed, and the paten with the unconsecrated host is placed in the hands of the newly ordained

The fraternal kiss

Before heading in to the Eucharistic prayer, Archbishop Vigneron incenses the altar and crucifix

Fr. Bechill drinks from the Chalice for the first time as a priest

Fr. Bechill gives Holy Communion to his mother, who was first in line

Father addresses the people

Archbishop Vigneron gets a "First Blessing" from the newly ordained

Archbishop Vigneron kisses Fr. Bechill's newly annointed hands

First blessings were done in a large reception tent outside.
It was pouring rain, but it didn't dampen anyone's spirits.

There was a sighting of seminarian, Bro. Matthew Schuster (center), from Assumption Grotto, who is in formation at St. John Cantius in Chicago.

Please pray for Fr. Bechill and all priests and seminarians in the Archdiocese of Detroit, and in your own dioceses.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Today is the feast day of St. Pio of Pietrelcina. Padre Pio often comes to the minds of people when they feel a priest is being persecuted from within the Catholic Church. What they don't consider is how the saint responded.

+ + + + + + +

First, it is important to point out that when I use the word "persecution", it could be real, or perceived. Of course, the public always has a fraction of the facts in any case, so it is easy to see persecution where it may, or may not, exist. Misunderstandings also happen, and are often quite painful. Projecting past experiences into any case is never helpful, either. Another point to consider is that even when Catholic authorities are wrong about something in the end, it is possible that any reasonable person could have come to a similar conclusion with the information that was available to them at a given time. For example, in the case of St. Faustina, faulty translations caused Church authorities to consider her writings suspect, but it took from 1959 to the late 1970's for that to get cleared up (1). Since those of us not directly involved with a case have nothing more than the tip of an information iceberg at our disposal, we must be careful not to fall into rash judgment, either way.

Looking back, we know that St. Pio suffered greatly at the hands of Church authorities. These kinds of trials should not come as a surprise to any priest or religious; they should almost be expected in one's life time. Pearls are created by friction; gold is tested in fire. Catholics who understand the concept of redemptive suffering (Col 1:24) often think only to apply it to things like illness or physical pain. When we feel we have been misunderstood, or believe we are experiencing an injustice, that interior pain can be offered up in a very God-pleasing way as a sacrifice. The list of things these to which these sufferings may be applied is broad: There are souls to be released from purgatory, sinners to be converted, reparations to be made for offenses committed by clerics, for sanctification of the priesthood and vocations, to save lives - in and out of the womb, for people suffering famine and war, etc. Therefore, the most important thing in the spiritual life isn't that one is suffering these things; rather, we ought to consider the response to them.

As his spiritual influence increased, so did the voices of his detractors. Accusations against Padre Pio poured in to the Holy Office (today the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith). By June 1922, restrictions were placed on the public’s access to Padre Pio. His daily Mass time varied each day, without announcement to diminish the crowds, and he was ordered not to answer correspondence from people seeking spiritual direction. It was also rumored that plans were being developed to transfer Padre Pio. However, both local and Church authorities were afraid of public riots and decided that a more remote and isolated place than San Giovanni Rotondo could not be found.

Despite the restrictions and controversies, Padre Pio’s ministry continued. From 1924 – 1931 various statements were made by the Holy See that denied the supernaturality of Padre Pio’s phenomena. On June 9, 1931, the Feast of Corpus Christi, Padre Pio was ordered by the Holy See to desist from all activities except the celebration of the Mass, which was to be in private. By early 1933,Pope Pius XI ordered the Holy See to reverse its ban on Padre Pio’s public celebration of Mass, saying,"I have not been badly disposed toward Padre Pio, but I have been badly informed."

In the book Padre Pio: The True Story by Bernard Ruffin (3), he recounts that after Vespers on June 11, 1931, Padre Raffaele summoned Pio to the friary parlor to read the decree received, without comment:

"Padre Pio is to be stripped of all faculties of his priestly ministry except the faculty to celebrate the Holy Mass, which he may continue to do provided it is done in private, within the walls of the friary, in the inner chapel, and not publicy in church".

Saint Pio's response:

"God's will be done,"...then he covered his eyes with his hands, lowered his head, and murmured, "The will of the authorities is the will of God."

While this caused immense suffering for Pio, which was confided privately to his friend and former teacher, Padre Agostino, he did not complain or make objections, especially in a public way. Padre Agostino asked him how he spent his time and Pio replied, "I pray and I study as much as I can, and then I annoy my Brothers." Pio went on to elaborate that he jokes with his brothers. With regards to study, he spent much time reading Sacred Scripture, and he especially studied the Fathers of the Church. This positive attitude in the face of such a trial brings to mind the following passage, in another context:

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matt 6: 16-18)

God permitted these things to happen to him and he chose to deal with it, the way Scripture tells us to handle fasting. Second only to giving up one's life for another, is to give up one's will, for the will of another. Padre Pio did not allow his "fasting" to be "seen".

Two years later, on March 14, 1933, Pope Pius XI, sent personal representatives to see Padre Pio, who had been "imprisoned" (as he referred to it), without the ability to celebrate Mass publicly since June of 1931. Monsignor Luca Pasetto and Monisgnor Felice Bevilaqua. Bernard Ruffin continues in his book:

"They found no wild-eyed fanatic, no crazed neurotic, no embittered rebel, but a pleasant, humorous man. According to [Padre] Raffaele, Pasetto was very much impressed with Pio's humility, his docility, and the whole of his conduct. He recognized Pio as a man of prayer and entirely godly."

It means therefore to be willing to learn from God and here’s the hard one: the willingness to learn from God not of course as though God will, though of course He might, send us His own divine angelic messenger, normally not. Normally God teaches us through the circumstances of our daily lives. Especially those most painful circumstances called other people. That’s where we tend to be less than docile. Openness then to God’s teaching usespecially through all whom He places into our lives. It is great, great wisdom to be so disposed as to be ready to learn from and I mean it, everyone from the youngest child to the oldest speaking to religious golden or diamond jubilarian .

St. Pio's postulator - Father Florio Tessari, in an inteview in L'Osservatore Romano had this to say about him in a June, 2009 article (5):

Padre Pio was “a friar, a religious priest who profoundly observed the evangelical counsels (poverty, chastity and obedience) in his life. He suffered difficulties in silence like an authentic Cyrenean and at the same time was crucified without a cross..."

He went on to point to two fundamental elements that led to Padre Pio’s canonization: “Faith to the bitter endand obedience also to the bitter end, despite the difficulties he encountered in his life..."

Of course, that faith and obedience to the bitter end was within the Institution of the Church, in communion with his superiors, bishops, and other authorities working in the name of the Holy Father. He did not throw in the towel, but abandoned himself to the path that God permitted him to suffer.

But what about defending one's good name? St. Francis de Sales in his Introduction to the Devout Life in the chapter, "Of Patience"(6) looks at this question more deeply. He also explains how we should respond to various forms of persecution. He emphasizes earlier in the chapter that it is easier to suffer persecution from the wicked, and much more difficult to suffer it at the hands of relatives, friends and others with whom we are close. He goes so far as to say that the devout soul should desire it more than the former. He then explains what one should do, if innocent, and accusations persist. This is taken from a Google Book version written in 1891 by Longman's, Green & Co., London:

"The following advice of St. Gregory is useful: whenever you are 'justly accused' of a fault, humble yourself, and candidly confess that you deserve more than the accusation which is brought against you; but, if the charge be false, excuse yourself meekly, denying your guilt, for you owe this respect to truth, and to the edification of your neighbor. But if, after your true and lawful excuse, they should continue to accuse you, trouble not yourself nor strive to have your excuse admitted; for, having discharged your duty to truth, you must also do the same to humility, by which means you neither offend against the care you ought to have of your reputation, nor the love you owe to peace, meekness of heart, and humility."

I would like to quote more, but the section really should be read in it's entirety.

We should reflect, given this information, had the Internet been available back in those days, would Padre Pio have sent out messages to supporters via multimedia and interviews giving his side of the story? Would he have bothered to point to past support in a public way? Would he create judgment on suspicion among his followers for Church authorities in subtle, or not so subtle, ways?

There is something to learn from the great saint in the way he handled a particular situation involving supporters. St. Pio learned that some men were going so far as to expose scandalous information about high-ranking members of the hierarchy in a book. The effort was aimed at freeing him from his "imprisonment". Ruffin explains Pio's response:

When Padre Pio, however, learned of the forthcoming book, he seized Morcaldi by the throat. "You devil, you!" he roared. "Go, throw yourself at the foot of the Church instead of writing this garbage! Don't you set yourself up against your Mother!"

Even after he learned later from Bevilacqua during that visitation that the allegations were true, St. Pio continued trying to dissuade efforts to end his "imprisonment" through the use of what amounted to blackmail. He did not want scandals exposed, even if they were true, because of the harm that would come to Holy Mother Church, and how it would affect unity. Pio knew that even bishops are not immune to the effects of Original Sin, but that the gates of Hell would not prevail against the Church (Matt 16:18). He accepted what befell him through imperfect men (Matt 23:3), by imperfect means, and he made the best of the situation. In fact, those misguided efforts to free him backfired at one point, bringing even greater trials for St. Pio. He was a man whose virtues were refined like a pencil put into a sharpener, and like steel which is hardened in fire.

Snowballing from that is one more interesting point made by Fr. Hardon in his article, Humility and Obedience in the Priest(7)(which should be required reading in seminaries). Fr. Hardon writes:

Priests are told that, "The priestly ministry, being the ministry of the Church itself, can only be fulfilled in the hierarchical union of the whole body of the Church." Consequently, a priest is obedient and obediently working with and under and through the hierarchy, or his work will not be blessed by God. There is no such thing as a priest going off on his own, independent of ecclesiastical obedience, and expecting God to grace his labors. A priest is not ordained for himself; he is ordained as the Vulgate has it "ad alios", for others. But being a priest, he is not only ordained for others; he must also work with others, "cum allis", and those others are his fellow priests united under the hierarchy..

This point by Fr. Hardon, is crucial. God knows more than anyone else about the talents He has given a priest. If God wants those talents used, then everything will fall into place. God opens those doors; He can shut them without explanation. A priest should pursue the avenues given to him by the Church, while following lawful directives in the midst of dispute, with docility. This will make formal appeals all the more credible and God-pleasing. He must abandon himself to the will of God as it comes through the appeals process. If all rightful and lawful attempts fail, then God's will has been manifested and what is left is redemptive suffering, or some other plan for one's life. No one's reward is here in this life; rather it is with hope that we look for it in the next.

We may be perplexed at the fact that God would hinder someone from using what seems to be their best talents, even for some great good. However, God also knows, intimately, what needs sharpening or correcting in a soul. Those remedies are often bitter. Lastly, for those who have already reached high levels of perfection, God knows how to make a priest reach higher. Few will experience the Evil One visibly as did St. John Vianney. Rather, the near perfect will be made more perfect through persecution and injustice, which are among the most bitter pills to swallow.

Let us reflect then, not on the fact that St. Pio of Pietrelcina suffered such trials from within the Church. This is a cross many saints have carried. It is a cross many will have to carry in their life time. What we must study is the response of the saints, and Padre Pio shows us how to imitate Christ who suffered the greatest persecution known to mankind without complaint.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Pope Benedict XVI arrived in his native Germany today. He tells the people he has not come to discuss politics or economics, but to talk to them about God. If you want to follow the Holy Father throughout his day, and look back at his homilies, addresses, and even live or archived video feeds, you can do so at the webpage set up by the Vatican for his Germany 2011 visit.

[Docility] means therefore to be willing to learn from God and here’s the hard one: the willingness to learn from God not of course as though God will, though of course He might, send us His own divine angelic messenger, normally not. Normally God teaches us through the circumstances of our daily lives. Especially those most painful circumstances called other people. That’s where we tend to be less than docile. Openness then to God’s teaching us especially through all whom He places into our lives. It is great, great wisdom to be so disposed as to be ready to learn from and I mean it, everyone from the youngest child to the oldest speaking to religious golden or diamond jubilarian . - Fr. John A. Hardon

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Fr. Perrone carries the Blessed Sacrament on August 15, 2011 following benediction in the Grotto area

Don’t cheapen your faith; don’t sell God short by making the trappings of religion

or religious good feeling the focus of your faith.

Fr. Perrone, September 18, 2011

+ + + + + + +

I was captivated by the homily this past Sunday, of Fr. Eduard Perrone, the pastor of Assumption Grotto Parish. I have known him since May of 2005. While he is a diocesan priest, he is also a secular Carmelite, and this comes out often in his talks and homilies. Those who have seriously studied the works of St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila may sense that, especially in this homily. I can tell you that he makes it a point to address these kinds of issues at least once or twice yearly. I have heard this advice from him before, but I can't say he ever packaged it as well as he did in this homily.

These are very wise words that come from a priest who is deeply, and visibly, devoted to the Holy Eucharist, and to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Clerics and seminarians may want to take a close look at how to discuss a particular kind of sensitive matter in a way that is mindful of everyone's dignity.

Like all homilies, we should be inspired to look inward, not at all those other people, whomever they may be. I think there is something here for everybody.

I had to add white space with line breaks in longer paragraphs to make reading easier.

Non-believers have drawn the line that divides truth from falsehood as the separation of what we can see and demonstrate as real from the fictional world proposed by religious faith. For such people, God and heaven, and all things we believe in are ‘make-believe’ while the visible world and the emotional responses we experience are real. A lot of people have taken up that side of things nowadays as secularism gains momentum and as the number of religious people declines. From our point of view, there is indeed a line that should be drawn between the real and the unreal, but it’s not at the same place. On the real side is both the physical-emotional and the religious, and the phoney is false religion which is, paradoxically, also very popular in our time.

Here I am thinking not only of the whole host of new age religious beliefs (which are really nothing but updated forms of old superstitions) but also of certain distortions of the real faith which attach themselves to genuine religion. These too are forms of superstition and I’m afraid that many of our devout Catholic people fall prey to them. I’m thinking about those who are always looking out for impressive signs or phenomena which sometimes accompany religious belief. Although at least some of these things may indeed be real, they are on the margin of faith rather than in the main text.

The easy tendency can be for religious-minded people to make these sidebars the main feature of their faith and thus divert the focus from the essential thing about believing. And what is the essential thing about believing? It is simply the firm, unyielding, obstinate adherence to things that cannot be seen or proved by physical signs. That’s real faith. Thus, the believer asserts and maintains (without having any demonstration to back it up) that there is a Supreme Being who is God(1), that there is heaven and a hell, that there are angels, that there is sin and grace and that there are the many things that our Catholic faith teaches us which are revealed by God and to which we assent wholeheartedly and completely without compromise or equivocation: these are things such as the belief that Jesus is physically and divinely there in the Communion Host; that the Pope has the ability to speak to us infallibly (i.e. without error), that the Mother of our Lord is at the same time Virgin and Mother, and that Her body as well as Her pure soul is now already in heaven. (This is just a sampling of such beliefs.)

What’s my point? We have Catholic people who are not content with holdingtenaciously to these beliefs but who are always on the watch for signs of belief to wonder about. Thus we have the search for Communion Hosts that bleed or that turn to visible flesh or that visibly show the face of Christ on it; or, we have the great fascination over physical cures resulting from visiting special places and shrines; or, the yearning to consult someone who claims that God reveals to him upcoming events.

Now certainly these and like things have happened and it is certain that their source can indeed be from the good Lord who, from time to time, breaks the laws of nature to do what is beyond its ordinary powers. I would never dispute the possibility and indeed the reality of these occurrences. What I’m warning about here is the displacement of faith from the certainty of these invisible realities to those peripheral or secondary things which sometimes accompany the faith.

Allow me to give specific examples. We should firmly believe that Christ is present in the Holy Eucharist without feeling the need to run to a place where the Lord’s body has become visible in a Host. Or, we should be secure in the interest the Blessed Mother has in us and the assistance afforded us by Her without needing to touch a weeping statue of Her. And we should seek to do the will of God without hoping to hear voices directing us nor should we expect visible signs to be shown us to indicate the way we should decide a particular matter. What we should seek is the reality of grace: that is, invisible and non-demonstrable divine working. It is there that our Lord wants us to put our whole trust. And the reason why this is so crucial is that it may be less worthy for us to believe in the things of faith when signs are indicated or emotionally consolations are felt than when they are not.

Take for example the case of someone who is enthused over an apparition of the face of Christ. Is that image (supposing here that it’s really from God) a greater reality than the face attached to the Person of Jesus’ glorious body in heaven? In fact, it would be at best an assumed likeness or reflection of the reality of the face of Christ which is elsewhere (in heaven). Or, consider the miraculous cures that take place at Lourdes. Surely it’s a blest place and many go there in the hope for special favors. But the Virgin Mary is as much available to any other person anywhere by the simple addressing of prayer to Her as She is there. She will hear your rosary as much in this church as any place in the world. If you go to see a certain person reputed to be holy because of wonderful words or signs he does, or because of scents he produces, are you not perhaps more taken with those phenomenal things than with the God who (reputedly) is the cause of them? And how must this look from God’s side, so to speak? Is He supposed to be pleased because someone believes in Him and His truth only because of such things?

Your credit balance with God is much greater for believing without seeing, smelling or touching anything. Faith enters your soul through the truth your ears pick up when it’s told you what God has revealed. A fully believing Catholic is the person of faith, and not one who is fixated on the appendages of religion. It’s important to keep your focus and to be fixed on the essentials.

Today’s scriptures offer some of those essentials:

• Seek the Lord while He may be found;• To me, life is Christ;• Conduct yourselves in a way worthy of Christ;• and our Lord’s rewards are given according to our work.

Here your concentration should be. Don’t cheapen your faith; don’t sell God short by making the trappings of religion or religious good feeling the focus of your faith.

Believe, and be pious. Leave the rest up to the good Lord who, in pitying human weakness, has from time to time, given little condiments to faith which have sometimes been mistaken for the main course.

Live by faith, and believe with all your mind and heart everything that the Catholic Church has taught you.

Footnote: (1) The existence of God, however, can certainly be proved by human reason, though that is not the point being made here.

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Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron

St. John of the Cross

Dark Night of the Soul (2.2:3)...

"...the devil causes many to believe in vain visionsand false prophecies; and strives to make them presumethat God and the saints are speaking with them; and they often trust their own fancy. And the devil is also accustomed, in this state, to fill them with presumption and pride, so that they become attracted by vanity and arrogance, and allow themselves to be seen engaging in outward acts which appear holy, such as raptures and other manifestations. Thus they become bold with God, and lose holy fear, which is the key and the custodian of all the virtues; and in some of these souls so many are the falsehoods and deceits which tend to multiply, and so inveterate do they grow, that it is very doubtful if such souls will return to the pure road of virtue and true spirituality."